Bracing for Russia Cyberattack Risk After Biden Alarm: Explained

President Joe Biden sounded the alarm bell on potential retaliatory Russian cyberattacks against U.S. businesses and critical infrastructure following Western sanctions.

Data breaches and ransomware hits can land companies in regulatory trouble and open them up to class action litigation, underscoring the need for robust cybersecurity practices and preparedness programs, attorneys say.

Biden’s warning was primarily focused on critical infrastructure—telecommunications providers, gas pipelines, water systems, and the like—but businesses of all stripes can be paralyzed by such attacks, landing them in reputational and legal hot water.

1. What liability do companies face?

Businesses whose systems are breached may be subject ...